I liken cannabis hemp prohibition to a tree. The tree is immensely
huge and has many branches. Its roots run deep through America's
Psyche. The prohibition tree stands as a monument to America's
zero tolerance approach to a plant that has numerous industrial
and therapeutic applications. The prohibition tree, which was
seeded with malice, prejudice, contempt, and greed, is watered
with the blood of the 10 million Americans who have been arrested
for marijuana related offenses. It is fertilized with petrochemicals
that poison the land, sea, and air. It casts shade on the fat
cats who profit from property forfeitures and prison slave labor.

We must fell the tree of cannabis hemp prohibition, but how?

Go out on a limb for cannabis hemp, and jump up and down. As
more people climb out on the limb, the collective weight will
cause it to break. We have to do it together. The prohibition
tree is America's Iron Curtain. Just as Germany was reunited when
the Berlin Wall suddenly fell, America's non-violent drug offenders
stand to be reunited with their families when the prohibition
tree falls. Climbing out on the limb as an advocate of cannabis
hemp is similar to a homosexual "coming out of the closet."
Great risks are involved, as the first people to speak up are
more likely to be the first people to be put down. However, for
people who care about true freedom, the benefits of staying silent
are outweighed by the possibility of bringing about real, positive
change. Unfortunately, of the millions of Americans who think
that cannabis hemp should not be prohibited, only a tiny percentage
have ventured onto the limb. Actions as simple as purchasing hemp
products is a good way to go out on the limb without personal
risk. Try to find a way where you can support the movement and
get out there on a limb or two.

Every lie that we expose strips another leaf off of the prohibition
tree. Authorities in other countries CAN tell the difference between
industrial hemp and smokable marijuana. Marijuana DOES have numerous
therapeutic benefits. Medical research HAS been performed. Marijuana
is NOT a gateway drug. In this context, the book, Marijuana Myths,
Marijuana Facts by Lynn Zimmer and Dr. John Morgan, has the defoliant
impact of Agent Orange. Once we lay it bare, the tree will cease
to grow. Cannabis prohibition is in the Autumn of its life.

Another approach is the chainsaw method where limbs (and perhaps
the entire tree) are decisively cut off. In Canada, Chris Clay
and others are filing Constitutional challenges that may permanently
splinter cannabis prohibition. Take your proverbial chainsaw to
court and let 'er rip!

Bark about prohibition! Demand to be heard. Contact publications
and the news media and inform them why cannabis prohibition is
wrong. Ask your political representatives where their compassion
is for America's farmers, patients, and non-violent drug offenders.
Let's "tree" moralistic mongrels like Slick Willy Jism
Jefferson Clinton and Drug Czar Fubar Barry McCaffrey before they
can do any more damage.

The cannabis hemp movement is moving forward. Make no mistake
about that. 1997 saw tremendous advances in every "branch"
of the reform movement. Hemp cultivation around the world is increasing
and newer, more innovative products are constantly being developed.
Hemp symposia and conferences are occurring at a frenzied pace
as farmers, scientists, manufacturers, and retailers share information
about cannabis hemp. On the medical front, doctors, patients,
legislators, and activists are demanding that suffering people
be allowed access to a proven remedy for numerous ailments. While
people like Dennis Peron and Dr. Lester Grinspoon have been out
on the limb for years, they can not do the entire job. They need
your assistance. Groups, such as Mass Cann/NORML, are holding
the largest anti-prohibition rallies ever held. However, a vast
majority of rally attendees leave the event with no inclination
to take another step out on the limb.

I'm going to go out on a limb now. I predict that 1998 will
see a significant increase in the number of people who dare to
join us in our fight. There IS power in numbers. 1998 will be
the year that "TIMBER" is heard around the world!